Category Archives: Giraffes

CINCINNATI, OH (May 20, 2011) – The Cincinnati Zoo’s seven-week-old baby giraffe, “Zuri” injured her leg yesterday in her indoor stall at Giraffe Ridge. When the first keeper arrived early Thursday morning, he noted that Zuri was lying down as usual when he went in to feed. When Zuri went to stand he noticed she was limping and immediately contacted the Zoo’s veterinary staff.

“Obviously, everyone here at the Cincinnati Zoo is extremely concerned about Zuri,” said Thane Maynard,…

Zuri, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s female baby giraffe turns one-month-old TODAY! Over the weekend, Zuri was introduced to her outdoor yard, with her mom, Tessa. Zuri loved her time outside and is excited to be spending more time in the great outdoors, weather permitting. Video of Zuri, the baby giraffe, outside for the first time is available and can be viewed here – http://youtu.be/fVAsOuag4vY.

Weather permitting, guests will be able to view Zuri in her outdoor yard…

CINCINNATI, OH (April 15, 2011) – The Cincinnati Zoo is excited to announce that the name “Zuri” has been voted the official name of the baby giraffe! After an exciting week of seeing name suggestions on the Zoo’s Facebook page, the Zoo left the final decision to the public and more than 9,000 people answered the call by voting online. Zuri was a clear winner, with 4,838 votes.

Help Name the Baby Giraffe

CINCINNATI,

OH (April 5, 2011) – It’s a GIRL! Thebaby giraffe, born Saturday, April 2 at the Cincinnati Zoo is a girl! Now, she needs a name. Name suggestions will be accepted on the Zoo’s Facebook page through this Friday, April 8, at which time the Zoo’s giraffe keepers will pick their favorites.

“Obviously we’re excited to have a thriving, healthy calf with excellent parents,” said Thane Maynard,…

CINCINNATI, OH (April 2, 2011) – Tessa, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s four-year-old Maasai giraffe gave birth to her first calf this morning, April 2 at 9:40 a.m. in her indoor stall. This news is especially exciting considering that the last time the Zoo celebrated a giraffe birth was nearly 26 years ago! The Cincinnati Zoo’s history with giraffe births actually dates back to 1889 when it became the first zoo in the Western Hemisphere to have a…

CINCINNATI, OH (March 2, 2011) – Tessa, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s four-year-old Maasai giraffe is pregnant, due within the next two months. This news is especially exciting considering the last time the Zoo celebrated a giraffe birth was 1985. The Cincinnati Zoo’s history with giraffe births actually dates back to 1889 when it became the first zoo in the Western Hemisphere to have a giraffe born in captivity. (NOTE FOR MEDIA: Media are invited to attend a photo…

Zoo veterinarians conducted a thorough necropsy, a procedure to determine the cause of death of an animal, Sunday morning and results revealed that Akilah died from a collapse of the cardiovascular system.

CINCINNATI, OH (November 20, 2010)– Staff at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are mourning the loss of its three-year-old female Massai giraffe named Akilah. Zoo keepers found Akilah around 4:30 p.m. Saturday evening sitting in the back of the outdoor exhibit. Akilah was apparently feeding on grass inside an enclosed island within the 27,000-square-foot exhibit when her horns, called ossicones, became caught in the netting that surrounded the trees.